Happy New 2013

You're ready to tackle the first challenge of the new year: you need a subtle, creative design to send season's greetings to your friends and family.
This background uses alternating light-and-dark lines, which extend diagonally from all four corners of the image. The lines gradually become lighter and partially disappear at the center, before becoming more prominent in the light-blue of the text. The numerals in "2013" gradually get thicker and darker from left to right. Two lines center the words "Happy New" under the numerals. With a quick update to add personal elements, it's ready for use as a greeting card or a party invitation.